15 Ohio mayors recognize value of general aviation

Mayors from 15 communities across Ohio have joined mayors across the country in recognizing the critical importance of general aviation to local towns and communities around the country. The petition specifically cites the harm that a proposed $100-per-flight “user fee” tax would cause on businesses, farms, and non-profit organizations that depend on general aviation.

In Ohio, general aviation contributes more than $5.5 billion into the economy every year and supports 17,000 jobs.

In addition, Governor John Kasich recently declared December to be “General Aviation Appreciation Month.”

The mayors petition to President Obama says:

Dear Mr. President:

We write to express our deep concern that your comments about general aviation in recent weeks and months have not only mischaracterized these aircraft and their crucial importance for our economy, but have suggested that the businesses and communities that depend on this form of transportation can afford an increased tax burden for general aviation operators. On behalf of over 100 communities in 48 states, we write to let you know that for thousands of towns and communities like ours around the country, general aviation is a vital part of our economy and national infrastructure, and we are extremely concerned about the repercussions of your statements on this important lifeline to communities around the nation.

General aviation supports 1.2 million American jobs, over $150 billion in economic impact annually, and is a vital economic engine for our national economy. However, it is also a struggling industry. There has been a 15.5% drop in general aviation aircraft shipments, and billings for general aviation have dropped 22.3%. Since 2008, manufacturers have also laid off roughly 20,000 workers, which is additionally concerning given that the general aviation industry remains one of the only sectors in U.S. manufacturing that still contributes positively to the balance of trade.

In addition, general aviation aircraft and the airports they utilize are a literal lifeline to our communities, providing access for business growth, law enforcement, disaster relief, medical care and other services. They are utilized to help transport blood and organs to residents in rural communities, reunite veterans back from overseas with their families, and help our companies to reach customers in markets that otherwise could not be reached.

As you know well, the vast majority of businesses and organizations that own and utilize general aviation are not wealthy CEOs. Rather, 85% are small to mid-sized businesses and organizations that rely on these aircraft to reach far-off plants and customers, serve rural markets without access to commercial aviation, or deliver medical care and other services. We can tell you firsthand that these aircraft are a crucial tool and resource for businesses in our communities; businesses that keep our communities afloat and help workers to be able to continue to put food on their table for their families.

Also concerning to us is the recent discussion of new “user fee” taxes on general aviation aircraft operators. These taxes would mean not only an additional tax burden, but a huge administrative burden on businesses, farms and organizations that use general aviation and that would have to literally keep track of invoices for fees for thousands of take-offs and landings. In addition, at a time when our government is supposed to be finding ways to reduce government spending, we do not understand why some in Congress seek to create huge, new bureaucracy within the FAA to administer these new taxes.

At such a vulnerable time for our economy, we need to be doing everything we can to support jobs and help to stimulate our economy, not crippling an important industry which represents a lifeline to communities such as ours around the nation. We stand ready to work with you on this and all issues related to local communities around the nation.

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reporting down here in new Orleans let me tell you yanks something keep on voting for this bunch it will not stop here after they finish with aviation they are going after your cars I selling my plane had enough 7.85 X 28 gal HR mid Texas this summer that s right. that J Carlos he hit it right on the head also keep on buying those imports America and saying that those imports are better go a head and buy those import airplanes and helicopters go ahead keep doing it we should all be out of a job soon keep buying that junk America and keep voting for this bunch

This nation, long ago, decided to provide for certain things such as national defense and the general welfare (no pun intended); commerce investments such as the interstate highway system and air travel systems (radars, airports, FAA services) are two examples of providing for the general welfare.

I do not find it hypocritical to support those investments while voting against growing government and disfavoring out – of – control spending.

We all know that these user fees on turboprop aircraft are a mere stepping stone toward being applied to all GA. Our government is completely out of touch. I agree with a previous writer that this administration wants less disparity between rich and poor. We are getting closer to a socialist state and our rights are slowly and methodically being taken away. The really scary thing is that the majority voted for it and will never admit they made a mistake.

The powers that be can only take our rights if we let them take our rights. Washington is out of touch with what we as ordinary hard working citizens face and deal with every day. It seems they are always looking for more ways to get our money by imposing higher taxes by passing new laws that work against us. More control of every aspect of our lives.

As a Canadian Resident if this tax comes in, it would pretty much kill any thought of flying down to the States again. I’ve flown across the border 4 times this year into your once great land, and have spends thousands on these trips for fuel, lodging, repairs, dining, etc. these flights are usually several stops at $100 beans a stop would make flying ridiculous. While not on personal flights, YET, it will only be a matter of time. Just in our tiny flying club North of Calgary there is about 30-40 cross border flights, I have no idea how many total in all of Canada. Many of these flights only go one or two states deep, so Northern States will suffer most.

On a positive note EVERY single person I’ve talked to (ATC), or met in your aviation industry have been awesome. Very professional and ALL are happy to see you arrive, and want to earn your dollar. Very nice treatment, TWO Red Carpet arrivals. Long live GA!

While you’re correct that this will only apply to turbine aircraft (for now), “turbine” does not equal “larger”. That’s part of the problem with this proposed user fee. Nearly a quarter of the active general aviation “turbine” fleet in the US is composed of small, single-engine turboprops that seat as few as 4 people total (according to GAMA’s most recent study). It’s ridiculous to randomly impose this fee on operators simply for operating an aircraft that is propelled by a gas turbine, rather than a gas reciprocating engine. Finally, our Canadian friend didn’t even mention Obama, he was speaking about user fees. If you’d like to talk about Obama, I’m sure there’s a forum elsewhere where you can do that.

“THIS ONLY APPLIES TO TURBINE (LARGER) AIRCRAFT” – FOR NOW if it is enacted. We already have a funding mechanisim for the FAA through general aviation and that is the fuel tax. If GA must pony up more, fine. Use the fuel tax. DO NOT, however, put in place yet another method of confiscating income. Government never shirinks and will always grow. If this now applies to large turbine aircraft, you can be sure it’s coming to a Cessna 172 near you.

Don’t hate on pilots Mike. One of us just may be flying a mercy flight for you of one of your loved ones in the future. What happens when flying becomes so much more expensive than it already is that even fewer young people choose aviation as a carrer than do now? All because your precious “Moron in Chief” views pilots as rich elites.

AOPA lies and now – sadly – so does GAN. AOPA staff featuring Fat Phony Fuller have been stating outright in mailings and meetings seeking to attract and retain new members to subsidize their bizarre salaries and perks that this fee applies to all aircraft. Total lie. Only applies to turbine aircraft and those only when they operate IFR.

All of you commenters are missing the point here. Obama wants to destroy the middle and upper class. He does not care about all the arguments all of you raise. He is fully aware of the hardship that a $100 a flight fee would impose on GA and the overall US ecomony in general….. and that is exactly why he is in favour of it. The Liberal attack ( and I realize I may be coming across a little off the beam here) on the middle classs started when Clinton signed off in NAFTA, allowing US businesses to outsource labor and manufacturing overseas. That has wiped out much of the middle class. Now Obama is picking up the banner. The tax on the 2 percent wealthy? All of that tax revenue would be enough to run this country for less then 10 days. Does Obama really need that money to cure the deficit? No of course not. It is on one hand nothing more then an excuse to parade in front of the American people a need for class warfare, but it’s primary purpose is to destroy the weathy. Obama hates wealth, hates success on the past of any businessman or individual and would like nothing more then to see this country reduced to a debt ladden socialist state whose citizens are all poor, uneducated, unarmed, and dependant on the government. So I wish you all good luck but unless you can muster support in the Congress you are going to lose, because Obama is not going to listen to any of your arguments.

i AM A FAIRLY LONG TERM STUDENT PILOT. I have stopped and started my training between layoffs and moves around the country on contract jobs. It has been a very tough expense for me. This would almost wipe my dreams out completely should it go through!

I fly a cessna 421C. If Obama wants more money in fees, I suggest increasing the fuel tax: the bureaucracy to collect that tax is already in place – why create a brand new bureaucracy to collect landings and takeoffs taxes: what would happen when we land at a non-towered airport – who would count the landings? How would I pay? The current fuel tax seems fairly fair – the larger the airplane is the more fuel they burn and the more the tax burdon is. BTW, this year Ariuzona Department of Transportation also wants their annual $1400 fee. That works out to $14 per flight hour… Would be interesting to see what would happen if a similar (high) fee structure per hour use was applied to automobiles.

One can anticipate both state-level and national level road user fees eventually. As more vehicles hit the road which meet the higher fuel mileage standards, less fuel will be purchased per road mile. Less fuel purchased, lower tax revenues; lower revenues, (but usage remaining constant or increasing), less monies available for maintenance, which will either remain a constant or increase. Thus, the Prius and Volt users will find themselves being “punished” for being “green.”

Meanwhile, we gen. av. pilots, being of the evil rich 1%-ers, must be punished too.

There is no need for increased taxes or fees. Just stop giving so much money to foreign countries that hate us, stop giving welfare and free medical treatment to illegals, stop allowing EBT cards to be used in ATM’s, etc, etc. In short; Stop the damned wasteful and nonsensical spending of our tax dollars.
Note to Bryan B, a few posts down. Nobody and no company is trying to take away your airplane. The liberals in this country just want to give all of your money to someone else. If Pablo Sanches and Wahkeen Jackson and anyone else that refuses to work for a living can’t afford a plain – you shouldn’t have one either. Had enough “Hope and Change” yet?

Professional pilot 40 yrs. User fees would be disasterous for a country that depends on GA for a lot of its sustenance. We need to impose on these so called “public servants” term limits and go to a part-time legistlature state and federal.Let these guys hold down a regular job in the communities they live in, and live on a budget like the rest of us.All these politicians do is cause us trouble when their in our state capitals and Washington, D.C. Its beyond time to tell these leachs where to get off!

Speaking as a retired Commercial Pilot and retired Private pilot, (as well as retired Attorney), ANY increase in General Aviation costs would be very injurious to the national security and the national safety!

As a life-long user and provider of GA services, I can state positively that the industry is and always has been ‘hanging on by it’s fingernails’. General Aviation costs have always been, and still are, very high, and necessary facilities are heavily taxed already by state and federal entities. As a private and commercial pilot, costs are already high enough to limit access to required services, (Airport access and fuel).

Because of the cost of necessary safety requirements, as high or higher than any other business as we all require, costs are also higher than we all desire!

Please be aware that general aviation includes both small business aviation and larger aircraft fuel and facilities. It provides emergency services to areas of the country
that cannot support or afford large scheduled commercial services! Any major cost increases will cause deaths by both reducing safety and access to medical facilities!

Operating costs are shared by both large business and small semi-private businesses!
Most of the later are operated by individuals who love the industry and provide the services out of a love for the industry rather than primarily for profit. That’s a great thing for the general public.

In summary, ANY increase in operating costs will take lives and reduce services!

ms. Wood,
this sits squarely on the president,he has no clue(as most of your citizens) how
important small airports and general aviation are.What frightens me even more
is this administration bent on copying Europe.North America has 80% of all private
a/c 20% for the rest of the world.Let see how fast we can destroy what works for our country.

So, George W. Bush wasn’t wrong when he originally proposed this stupid fee, but Obama is? Get a clue.

The author behind this fee is the OMB, same as it was under W. Obama has just allowed them to keep advancing their Republican agenda of privatizing public infrastructure and operating government agencies as “profit centers”. It is not “Marxism” that is trying to take away my airplane, but the airlines and their big business allies.

You might want to check up on what “our” aviation alphabet groups have been testifying to before Congress, as well. Seems they are fans of privatizing ATC, which will lead to user fees as those private companies seek to optimize their profits. The mission of ATC should be promote safe flight for the public, not optimize profits.

Thanks for passing along. Wonderfully and skillfully stated letter. It is good to know so many recognize the importance of GA to this country and the world. It is common knowledge to those in business that if you want less of something – tax it. That’s why the taxes for soft drinks, tobacco, etc, are always proposed. Look how the internet has taken off – it’s taxed minimally. If you want businesses to flourish, remove or minimize the taxes put on them. You would think our government officals would figure out this kindergarden principle after awhile. They always look at business as something to be milked rather than something to nuture. Every piece of legislation should have an independent benefit/cost study attached to it so everyone can see what the true cost is to Americans before it goes through debate.

I do a lot of charity work to transport anyone who needs it.
I never charged a dime even when the price of gas is high. I have flown moms with the sick kids at college away, sick patients to university hospitals and even sick animals.
I am not rich but I enjoy doing it.
Politicians are not in touch, Their boss say jump and they ask how high?.They vote for 2700 page bill without reading it. What do you expect from these kind of people???

As always the people who have created the problem are now trying to fix it with our money. Anyone out there who owns an airplane or flies on a commercial airliner will be inpacked with higher tickets prices. The owners of the private aircraft sector will not use there aircraft whether it is for business or pleasure puting thousands of A&P mechanics out of work while many FBO’s will have to close because of lack of work. I have been employed in the aviation industry for over 25 years and have worked in a family owned business to 2 aircraft manufacturers. I have worked all of my life for the past 42 years and have never been laid off until just recently. I must thank our present administration for that as it seem all politicians and there adgendas seem to negatively inpact the people they work for. They say things about general aviation (2009) and then the news media with their adgenda seems to sell there ideas to the simple minded american public. It is time to take back the country we once knew and fire all these lame, lying politicians who are only in it for their advancement and the money. Get smart America as these politiicians are using your money, your childrens money and your childrens childrens money. They can fix it and fix it with ease. It just doesn’t fit into their adgenda.

THANK YOU for sending that. Presumably the $100 fee would apply to _each_ takeoff and landing so that a flight might end up costing $200 or $300 over the already expensive fuel cost — it would KILL private aviation forever. I know the Prez is only talking about business now but once imposed, there will be a hue and cry for those “wealthy recreational fliers” to pay more. This is an issue we must lobby and fight nonstop, or will become a nation like France or Germany where ONLY multi-millionaires can afford to own and operate an airplane.

I am a former owner of a Cherokee 140. Had to sell it. Tough times. But, I haven’t lost my love for flying and look forward to taking to the sky again! I am and have been the classic recreational pilot ( $100.00 hamburger-type) and using the plane to visit family more often. I have supported banks, insurance companies, aviation fuel companies, FBO’s, mechanics, parts suppliers, avionics specialists, restaurants, hotels, with thousands of dollars over the two year period I owned my plane, and loved every hour of flight.

It is time to tell the Major airlines (the lobbyists for user fees) who keep gouging us with their own “user fees” (baggage, seats reservations, peanuts, etc.) that their lobbying is ineffective and turn all those millions of dollars toward supporting the public. Then the GA user fee option will never surface again and the passengers will have more incentives to fly. Politicians may not have the “balls” but we, as the public, have a real good sense of the “bearings!”

General Aviation does so much more than create a taxing opportunity for the FAA. The military is providing fewer and fewer pilots to move into the cockpit of our commercial air fleet and the only other source comes from General Aviation. A $100 pre-flight tax would add more than $4,000 to the cost of a private pilot certificate and over $50,000 to the cost of a pilot certificate that would qualify someone to sit in the left seat of a commercial airliner.

Taxing pre-flight operations would stifle the general aviation industry and leave the country scrambling to not only find alternative transportation but would have to hire Chinese and Indian pilot to keep the US Commercial Aviation industry afloat. Think of the damage it would do to small businesses in rural America.

This is an excellent letter. In plain language, it makes the points one wishes the general aviation community had made for itself more than two years ago, a time when damage might have been more easily contained.

I see only one oversight which might be part of any follow up communication. Whether on a per passenger or per mile basis, the proposed GA user fees would add substantially to an already unfair situation in which commercial aviation pays less than its fair share of the taxpayer costs associated to aviation.

What? There are some who oppose what the president has proposed? Why I’m quite sure he’ll see that as all the more reason to do it. After all, the fact that they disagree demonstrates just how ignorant, and out-of-touch, they are. It’s his duty to lead them to the light.

The President care NOT ONE WHIT about general aviation. All he cares about is “sticking it to the rich man”. The aviation tax is but a drop in the bucket compared to the voracious national spending. He does not see the big picture. He does not want to see the big picture, and he does not care who he hurts to further his Marxist agenda.

Purple Lips and the minions that serve him and control him deserve nothing but death for Treason and War Crimes.
They HATE OUR FREEDOMS. They are terrorists and they don’t want slaves to travel.
1/2 of us will be dead and the other 1/2 will be in FEMA camps when they start coming for our guns in 2013. So a lot of good any petition is going to do. He doesn’t need Congress to approve anything, so if he doesn’t ask them what they want, he doesn’t consult them at all (treason, tyranny, dictatorship), why would he care what we want?

Purple lips “Dzernk Flimpklitzle” what the hell is that supposed to mean? Don’t bother responding we all understand right wing nut job code words.You are just the kind of fruit cake that should not be allowed a fire arm.Yes we know you need your weapons when the black helicopters come for you.
Have your doctor adjust your meds you are a sick person.Your ilk is what is destroying the country .

I am upset by this proposed tax as well, but the problem is an adminstration that has no clue of what it’s doing. All they want is to control every avenue of business in this country and this will kill jobs and not create any. This article needs to circulate and I will do what I can to make others aware.

You might as well be speaking to your hangered Cessna 182 with this letter. This president, in his full class warfare mode, looks upon all general aviation as being “fat cats” with a bunch of play things, who “aren’t paying their fair share”, whatever that amount is? All this while he flies all over the world in luxury not available to the vast majority of GA owners, at taxpayer expense; great tax payer expense.

And the State Run Mockingbird Media parrots these exact opinions to the brainwashed sheeple, and they eat it up. If someone is talking to be about flying in public, I get some real hate thrown at me from eavesdroppers. “OoooOoo he must be a footprint maker, I should turn him in”

THE OIL COMPANIES ARE RUNNING US OUT ,THE FORTUNE 500 MOVED TO CHINA AND CHEAP LABOR COUNTRIES TO COME BACK TO US BY WALMART,OR TARGET WITH PRICES OF AMERICAN CONSUMER DOLLARS AND SALE TO US LOW QUALITY PRODUCT MANUFACTURED ABROAD ,STEALING OUR INDUSTRY AND LABOR FORCE THE SURVIVAL !! THIS WHOLE SHOW STARTED WHEN WE WENT TO KOREA IN THE 50’S AND FOUGHT THE COMUNIST ; THE SAME WE NOW THANKS TO ALL THE BIG COMPANIES ARE MANUFACTURING AND BECOMING RICH AND PUTTING US IN THE UNEMPLYMENT LINE !! IS NOT OBAMA ;IS THOSE RICHES WHO LOBBYED FOR YEARS TO HAVE THEIR WAY FOR MONEY AND TODAY WILL SELL YOUR RETIREMENT IF NECESARY.GASOLINE :ENERGY COST INCREASED AND AFTER TRANSPORTATION ,SALARIES ,CEO’S GREED ,AND AGRESSIVE WALL STREET ENTREPENEURS SCAMS ,DEVOURING SCAMS IN THE MILITARY SPENDING ,WELFARE SPENDING, THE RICHES GETTING RICH ,AND THE POOR OR LIMITED BEEN OUT OF JOB !! GREED ,DISRESPECT ,UNPATRIOTS AND THIEVES THE ONES WHO SOLD US OUT TO MAKE SINGAPORE,HONG KONG,BEIGING AND MANY OTHER PLACES RICHER BECAUSE THEIR LABOR IS CHEAPER FOR THEM AND COMMING TO USA TO SELL !!
AWAKE AMERICA TAX THE IMPORTS 20% AND WE WILL BUY AMERICAN ,IMPOSE QUALITY LAWS OR PENALTIES TO THE AMERICAN COMPANIES WHO LIE AND HAVE MONEY ABROAD STASHED,LIKE SOME BANKS IN BAHAMAS !! WE NEED THE LABOR AND STANDART OF LIVING HERE ;LET’S PROTECT OUR SYSTEM FIRST . THE FEE IS ONLY TO CORPORATE JETS !! WHY AMERICAN COMPANIES LIKE CESSNA OR BOEING,ARE MANUFACTURING AND GIVING THE KNOW HOW ABROAD? WHY OUR TECHNOLOGIES ARE BEEN GIVEN AWAY WHEN IN AN OTHER TIMES WAS CONSIDERED STRATEGIC,CLASSIFIED MATTERS ? THIS IS NOT OBAMA LADY’S AND GENTLEMANS ! THIS PIE HAS BEEN COOKING FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW WE REACHED THE DEEP OF OUR POCKETS ! AND THE CORPORATE AMERICA SOLD US FOR GREED AND SCAMS CEO’S ABROAD !! TAX THE IMPORTS MR PRESIDENT !!